Native Lands Court.

Patea Mail, 22 July 1880, Page 2

Native Lands Court.

Patea, Tuesday. Mati-mati-aonga, a block containing 21.200 acres, passed through the Court without opposition, the natives who first made objections having satisfied themselves that the map showing the survey was correct, and did not include their land. Mati-mati-aonga No. 2, containing 8.200 acres, also passed; Tutai-ari-ari, containing 14,800 acres, and owned by natives residing in the vicinity of Hawcra, was also passed. Te Taro Nos. 1 and 2, and Wakina Nos. 1 and 2, included in the block known as Toko, passed; and certificates of ownership will issue to Taranaki and Hawora natives. Patea, "Wednesday. The Court was occupied nearly all day in taking the names of claimants to a block called Mangapapa, Nos. 1 and 2, on the Wanganui side of the Waitotara river. Colonell McDonnell appeared for the natives interested in this land, and Mr Duncan represented the interests of the claimants in Mati-mati-aonga No. 1. Mr Charles Wallace interpreted in one case before the Court on behalf of the natives, and Mr Dalton for the Court.

The case of Kaitaugiwhenua having been adjourned every day since the opening of the Court, some of the principal natives were loud in complaints, and the Judge had to reprove them.

One native, Uruteaugina, a chief of the Ngaruri and Ngatepoma tribes, stated that he thought the Court was not waiting for Wanganui natives to arrive, but because of influence brought to bear by Europeans, who, he had heard, were endeavoring to stop the business of the Court.

Major Heaphy said he must not impute motives of this nature to the Court, as every consideration had been shown to him and his people in allowing the case to be heard at Patea. He would give the Wanganuis another chance of attending, but if he took evidence of the claimants without hearing the Wanganui claimantr, Uruteaugina and his people might regret having been so hasty, as an appeal could be made by claimants who had not received due notice. Majoa Heaphy added, that he had been informed by Mr Woon, R.M. at Wanganui, that the Wanganui natives had not had proper notice.

The case was then adjourned till Thursday, vThe natives say that they are prepared to go on with the case, as the Wanganuis cannot prove ownersh ip to tins blocks